Apple fans who are keen for the Cupertino company to start mounting the sapphire display on their future iPhones should temper their expectations and review them. The incredible results that have been obtained with the anti-reflective layer of the iPad Air 2 screen make it very seriously rethink the use of sapphire (anti-scratch) in future devices. Experts are now considering continuing the use and evolution of this successful anti-glare screen.
Raymond Soneria, CEO of DisplayMate Technologies, has commented that the new anti-reflective screen mounted on Apple's iPad Air 2 features a astonishing 2.5 percent rate reflectance. He stated that it is the lowest rate that has been measured on a tablet or smartphone by far. Previous registrations hovered around 4.5 percent.
The display expert asserted that did not expect apple to use sapphire on the screens of future iPhones because the material, by itself, already has a reflectance rate that exceeds 8 percent. Too much, if we compare with the 2.5 percent rate obtained in the iPad Air 2. If Apple decided to put an anti-reflective treatment of the tablet in the future iPhones with sapphire screen, it would be counterproductive because it would defeat the purpose of using sapphire, which is none other than avoiding scratches, as the upper anti-reflective layer would suffer from these marks. In short, putting an anti-reflective treatment on the sapphire coating would be something that would not make sense, because the coating that would go over the sapphire would continue to suffer scratches and marks.
"Anti-reflective coatings are used on almost all high-end lenses and displays," Soneira explained. “The problem is that most of these layers are relatively easily scratched and fingerprint marks remain. Apple, or rather one of its manufacturers, has found the way that they are so easy to scratch and that they show greater resistance to fingerprint marks ”.
Tests and tests carried out by Soneira on the iPad Air 2 screen reveal that its low reflectance rate improves image contrast, color and saturation in natural light and also makes it easier to read of what is displayed on the screen.
Rumors that Apple would introduce sapphire displays to its devices surfaced when the company signed a $ 578 million contract with GT Advanced Technologies, a specialized company in materials and products made from sapphire. Today, Apple uses this material to protect the Touch ID sensor area as well as the iSight rear camera of some devices.
I have had the iPad Air 2 for a few days and yes, the screen is spectacular, as well as the fluidity, the handling and everything else, but I think that the change I made for the iPad mini3 is the best I could do. It is a shame that all the improvements of the Air 2 are not in the mini 3, but if to say that once you try a mini, that handling, that retina display and all those sensations, it is very difficult to use an Air with comfort. In fact, the TouchID in the Air 2 is the most uncomfortable to use in Apple products.